New movie from creators of Facing the Giants!

I loved Facing the Giants because it came at the time we were struggling with infertility too.

Grandpa's Obituary

Grandpa's obituary was in the Seattle Times yesterday, 8/24. A more in depth one can be found at:
http://bartonfuneral.com/2008/08/23/edward-kennedy-august-18-2008/

He will be interred with military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery on Sept. 10th at 11:30AM. This will include a 21 gun solute! Go Grandpa!

In Memory of Edward Kennedy

May 12, 1918 – August 18, 2008
90 years old and married for 62 years!

My Grandfather, Shaun’s Great Grandfather, and my Dad’s Father passed away last night. I am grateful that Shaun & I got to see him one last time 2 weeks ago even though I didn’t know it would be the last time, but always knew it was a possibility.

It has been several years, maybe already 6, since he had an infection/stroke or something and hasn’t been my same Grandpa since. I will always treasure the memories before that time. Some of them include trips to Wild Waves, cross country and down hill skiing (he was my teacher when I was in high school, so that means he was in his upper 70s and still skiing!), and going to downtown Seattle at Christmas time to see the sites which included the Ballet and the train censored to move when you put your hand on the glass. Also, we spent lots of weekends over the years at Grandma & Grandpa’s house.

My Grandpa loved the out of doors and climbing mountains. He was a pro at Mt. Rainier. He was a member of the Tenth Mountain division in WWII. There is a plaque on Mt. Rainier dedicated to the division. My parents saw it just last month when they were there on vacation. He also was one of the founding 5 members of REI. Whenever I would buy something there, I would say, “I’m going to use my Grandpa’s #, which is 5.” They would say “what?” or wait for me to give the next 6 or so digits. I would again say “5”, and then they would put it in and/or say, “really, let me just look it up by his name”. I loved seeing their reactions. My dad did the same thing once, quite a few years ago, and the cashier said something to the effect of, “I thought all of those old guys were gone.”

I love you Grandpa!!! Now my 2 Grandpas can see each other again without their ailing bodies to hinder them.
Suzanne

Shaun is 6 months old today!

Shaun had his 6 month check up yesterday!

Here are his stats:
19 pounds 10 ounces (85th percentile),
28 inches long (93rd percentile)
45.7cm head circumference (93rd percentile).

He is a healthy, growing boy!

I will post a 6 month picture to the right as soon as I can and in a few weeks post other pictures including his 6 month professionals (after we receive them), they are adorable!

Gross!!!

This evening I had a major blow out on my lap! I was sitting, holding Shaun in my lap when I heard something. I looked down, and my lap and part of my shirt were covered! We have had blow outs before, but never on me!! I put a load of laundry in right away! I guess that is part of being a mom! :)

Yesterday Shaun ate some watermellon! He sucked on it through a mesh bag and he loved it! The watermellon was his first food besides rice cereal. And today, he ate some bananas for the first time! (stage 1 baby food). He seemed to like it. He would make a few weird faces sometimes while eating it, but he kept opening up for more!
Suzanne

It’s our 7 year anniversary today!

Highlights from Each Year:
Year 1: Honeymoon phase!! Bill ended his active duty military service and started his Reserve service in Everett.
Year 2: Bill earned his Paralegal ATA degree at Edmonds cc.
Year 3: 9/10/03 new home is ours!!
Year 4: First year of the infertility struggle. 8/04-Bill’s Mom, Ethan & Seth came for a visit from Montana. 10/1/04 adopted Abby, the dog.
Year 5: Second year of the infertility struggle. 3/06-Bill transferred to the JAG unit in the Reserves at Bangor. 4/06-We went to Vegas to visit Bill’s dad, step mom and Grandparents and to see the sites.
Year 6: Third year of the infertility struggle. 4-5/07-Bill was in Rhode Island for 4 weeks for Navy duty and I went to visit for a week. 5/30/07 conceived Shaun via IVF!! Bill earned his AA degree-8/07.
Year 7: Bill started at CWU to earn his BA degree in Law & Justice. Parenthood begun! Shaun born 2/12/08!!!! 3/08-Bill’s Mom and Seth came to see Shaun from Montana!

I have really been blessed with such a wonderful family! I never knew that I could be so happy! In life, we as humans usually are impatient and want things to happen right now or on our timeline. Well, we have learned that God’s timing might not be the same as our own! Trying to conceive was the first time we really saw God’s timing was different and that we are not always in control. We were wondering if God’s plan was pointing us to adopt to have children, so we even had started researching adoption agencies. I knew God had a plan for our family to grow, and I’m just so happy that the time finally came! We are so excited for the future to see what it brings! Suzanne

Daddy Time, Auntie Time & Class

I had a fun time with Daddy this month! He took me to baby class. Mommy has taken me to this class since I was 3 weeks old! I enjoy class and have fun watching the other babies and mommies. We sing songs and learn something about taking care of me!

Daddy also has taken me to “Story Time” at the library. Yes, they have a story time that is for babies as young as me!!! I like it too. We read several books and sing songs too, and then have play time afterwards! I hope Daddy keeps taking me!

Daddy has set up a nice schedule during the day to make sure I get enough naps, so I’m happy! Mommy feeds me at 7 before she leaves for work and then I go back to sleep until sometime between 8:30-10am, depending on the day. I usually take a short nap, maybe 30 minutes to an hour or so around noon. Then in the afternoon I take about a 2 hour nap until Mommy gets home. I may take a short nap sometime during the evening and then go to bed for the night at about 9:30. I’m sleeping well at night. Mommy and Daddy are so happy about that. Sometimes though I might wake up stuck on my tummy and need Mommy or Daddy to move me or get the binkie. However, I love to sleep on my tummy with my legs tucked up with my bottom in the air! It’s okay that I sleep on my tummy now that I am really good at moving my head around, plus Mommy & Daddy can’t stop me!

I also got together with my play group friends. In May, a bunch of Mommies started up a group from the baby class. A bunch of Mommies were going back to work and wanted an evening activity to get together with other little ones. We do it twice a month. It is fun!

I also had fun with Auntie Renae for 8 days. We hung out while Daddy did Navy duty. I was mostly good for her. There was just one day that was not a good day where I was cranky and fussy. We even went to Mommy’s office for a bbq!

I can sit up on my own for a little bit now. I fall over if I look around too much or lose concentration. Sometimes I support myself with my hand and then I can sit for a long time! I also like to suck on my toes! Mommy thinks it is amazing how flexible I am! I also have started “talking” more by making “dadada” sounds instead of just “aaaahh” sounds. And most recently, on 7/27, I ate rice cereal for the first time! I didn’t know what to do at first, but by the 3rd spoonful I was opening my mouth and ready for more! I’m eating a little bit once a day for now. I get to start solids in a couple weeks!

Grandma also got me my first water float toy for the lake. It is shaped like a crab! They inflated it and I tried it out inside, but it was too cold outside last weekend to try it in the water. Hopefully in August I will get in the water for the first time! There are pictures linked at the right of me eating, in the crab float and others from July!
Shaun

Working & Baby Boom!

I survived my first month back to work full time! It definitely keeps me busy, working full time and being a mom! I think we are all adjusting. We spent some Saturdays at the cabin at the lake enjoying the summer.

Baby Boom!!!! Several of my friends had babies recently! Ashleigh Neihart was born on 6/19/08 to Jill and Randy, my college friend and roommate. Aden Barrett was born on 7/8/08 to Kristen & Greg, my college friend. Caleb Hawkins was born on 7/25/08 to Jacqueline & Josh, my friend since Kindergarten!!

Watch for another blog from me on 8/4, our special day!!!
Suzanne

Daddy Duty, School and Navy Duty

I had my first month of full time Daddy duty, well sort of! Shaun and I go to baby class on Mondays and story time at the library on Tuesdays. They are nice outings to get out and about.

I am nearing the end of summer quarter at Central Washington University. I am taking one class, Research Methods in Criminal Justice. I go in for class each Tuesday and Thursday. We eat a quick dinner after Suzanne gets home and then I’m off to class for 2 hours. I plan to go part time for the next school year, and then graduate next year!

I also did 7 days of my yearly “2 week” Navy duty this month. I worked in the JAG office on the Everett base. Renae, Suzanne’s sister, took care of Shaun during those days when Suzanne and I were both working. She is a teacher, so has summers off, and has been eagerly awaiting this babysitting time since before Shaun was born! I think they got some quality Auntie-nephew time.

I went to Helena, Montana this month for my Navy drill weekend. I got to see the town I last lived in before I joined the Navy, 11 years ago. I even got to see some friends that I knew when I lived there. Bill